Liquor liability insurance for your business.
Liquor liability insurance customized to your business.
Serving alcohol comes with risks that standard liability insurance doesn’t always cover. Liquor liability insurance is designed to protect your business if a customer causes injury or damage after being served alcohol at your establishment or event. And in South Carolina, if your business serves alcohol for on-premises consumption and stays open after 5 pm, liquor liability insurance is required.
Liquor Liability Insurance in South Carolina
C.T. Lowndes & Company has worked with South Carolina businesses for more than 175 years, helping owners meet licensing requirements and reduce exposure to costly claims. Whether you run a busy venue or host occasional events, we’ll help you find liquor liability coverage that makes sense for your business.
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Drunk Driver Coverage
Risk Factor
A guest who has had too much is a danger to themselves and others behind the wheel. And if you served them, you could be at fault.
Solution
Liquor Liability may help cover damages, costs, and legal expenses related to an intoxicated guest who drives and causes an accident.
Slips and Falls Coverage
Risk Factor
If a guest is drinking, they may be more likely to trip, slip, or otherwise fall and become injured. And if you over-served them, you could be held responsible.
Solution
Liquor Liability can cover situations in which you are held accountable for overserving a guest who becomes injured as a result.
Over-Served Coverage
Risk Factor
If a bartender or other staff member is unaware that a guest has had too much to drink, they may serve excessively. If that guest causes harm or damage, your business may be on the hook.
Solution
Liquor Liability can cover claims where a person who became intoxicated at your establishment causes harm, even off-site.
Assault and Battery Coverage
Risk Factor
Alcohol can be fun, but it can also lead to altercations and fights that lead to injuries, lawsuits, and plenty of regret.
Solution
Liquor Liability often includes coverage for assaults or fights that occur due to intoxication, potentially covering injuries, damage to property, legal fees, and settlements.
Legal Coverage
Risk Factor
For some people, drinking at a bar or restaurant is the beginning of their night, not the end. If they cause problems in another location, the injured party may hold you legally responsible.
Solution
Liquor Liability may offer legal protection for instances resulting from alcohol use in your establishment, covering legal fees, damages, and more due to a covered accident.
What is Liquor Liability Insurance?
Liquor liability insurance helps protect your business from claims involving bodily injury or property damage connected to alcohol your business served, sold, or provided. If a customer causes harm or damage after drinking, your business may still be held responsible under certain circumstances.
This coverage fills an important gap that general liability insurance doesn’t address. It can help pay for medical expenses, legal defense, settlements, and property damage related to alcohol-related claims that arise from your premises or events.
For any business that sells or serves alcohol, liquor liability insurance supports compliance with dram shop laws and provides financial protection when an unexpected situation occurs.
Who Needs Liquor Liability Coverage?
You need liquor liability if your business does any of the following:
- Sells alcohol (restaurants, bars, nightclubs, breweries)
- Serves alcohol at events or on-site (event venues, caterers, clubs)
- Hosts company parties where alcohol is provided (host liquor liability insurance)
- Operates mobile service businesses like food trucks that offer alcoholic beverages
- Owns or operates liquor stores
- Applies for or holds a liquor license
Even small business owners hosting a one-time event could be exposed to alcohol related claims. South Carolina’s dram shop laws can make you financially responsible for injuries caused by intoxicated individuals, whether or not you intended any harm.
Host liquor liability coverage is especially important for businesses that don’t sell alcohol, but still provide it (like at fundraisers or employee appreciation events).
What Does Liquor Liability Insurance Cover?
Your liquor liability policy typically includes:
- Bodily injury to third parties caused by an intoxicated customer
- Property damage from fights, accidents, or destruction caused by alcohol
- Legal fees and court costs
- Medical expenses for injured parties
- Claims arising from drunk driving incidents linked to your alcohol service
- Coverage for damages property, injury or property damage, and even third party bodily injury
Depending on your policy type, liquor liability insurance cover can be written as a standalone policy or added to your business owner’s insurance policy. Businesses facing more risk, such as those with higher volume alcohol sales, should consider higher limits to make sure they’re fully protected.
Not every business needs the same protection. We’ll guide you through your coverage options, and offer liquor liability coverage for your exposure.
How Much Does Liquor Liability Insurance Cost?
Your liquor liability insurance cost will depend on:
- Type of business and alcohol sales
- Event frequency and size
- Claims history
- Business location
- Chosen coverage limits
- Whether coverage is bundled with business insurance or issued separately
On average, liquor liability insurance can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand annually, depending on your operations. The good news? A smart, well-structured liquor liability policy could help you save money in the long run by avoiding devastating legal costs or property damage claims.
Get a Liquor Liability Insurance Quote
For more than 175 years, C.T. Lowndes & Company has helped South Carolina’s business owners get the insurance they need to stay protected and compliant.
With a 4.8-star customer rating, we’re proud to be the trusted partner for everything from liquor liability insurance to full business insurance portfolios.
Whether you’re securing your first liquor license, expanding a venue, or planning a one-time event, we’re here to help you carry liquor liability insurance that matches your real risk.
Contact C.T. Lowndes today for your liquor liability insurance quote and protect your business with confidence.
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As an independent agency, we are here to help you find the right Liquor Liability Insurance coverage.
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Liquor Liability Insurance Quote Request
As an independent agency, we are here to help you find the right coverage.
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